Ana's Hawai‘ian Adventures 🌺

  My ethno-cohort ‘ohana — and extended ‘ohana! I have completed the immersion week of my ethnomathematics graduate certificate and I can already notice some profound changes. First, I notice that this is the first time I have visited a place and actually gave back. I have not just been a consumer to take artifacts, memories, scenery, food, experiences -- this time, I had the opportunity to give — to work the land, harvest and clean food for the people, learn the history, and be connected to this place. This is a practice I want to continue with every place in which I have the honor to be. The immersion week challenged my limiting beliefs that I may not fit in, may not be enough, and may not belong. Every classmate and teacher brings so much to the program. The wealth of experience, knowledge, kindness, and authenticity was overwhelming (in a good way). And I recognize that my story is beautifully unique and incomparable to others. What surprised me most about Hawaiian ways of know...

 Today was a day on the ocean! It was so incredible! We went to the Marine Education Training Center, home of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and Punahou School's Kamaola Voyaging Canoe . I learned about the kāpehu (Hawaiian's star compass) used to navigate the ocean. Polynesian Star Map We even got the opportunity to build/draw one using only rope and sidewalk chalk. It was fun to remember geometry and how to find perpendicular bisectors of angles! After playing with math, we got to sail on a traditional voyaging canoe. I got to row and steer, feeling the wind and the current and the boat. We all worked together and I could feel my ancestors on my dad's side, standing behind me, welcoming me home.  I am sitting in the backyard now, reflecting on the day, enjoying the sweet smells of the flowers and the cool breeze. I feel beyond grateful for all of the people and kindness I am surrounded by.  The backyard is filled with over a dozen lily pad aquariums wi...

 Today we went to Hoʻokuaʻāina at Kapalai Farms to get muddy! We had such fun! The opening oli  (chant) was so welcomed and their response beautifully heartfelt. This land has been restored by thousands of people over the past decade.  Owned by a single family's vision, they have toiled to clear out the wild land and restore kalo crops to the land. And we were so fortunate to share their good news that, after a dozen years of negotation and advocacy to *not* sell the land for commercial development, this organization signed the papers to purchase a new parcel of land (140 acres) for restoration and conservation. Such a huge win! We spent the day working the fields to clean the kalo , providing almost 200 lbs of kalo to be sold in the grocery stores! I have never worked a field before, never contributed to the feeding of my community. It was a wonderful feeling. First we were asked to remove our shoes... then walk through a mud-floor tunnel...Where are we going? This beaut...

 This post is a day late because, upon returning, I slept for about eleven hours! I woke up feeling tired but pushed through. Although that's common behavior for Past Ana, it is not prudent for Current Ana, who has Long COVID and usually rolls back to sleep when she wakes up feeling tired.  Instead, I forced myself out of bed so that I would be ready in time for our next adventure: to the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology!  We met at Leonard's Bakery food truck, and I tried my first malasada -- coconut filling. It was divine! My first malasada! Then off to the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology in a four-car caravan. The drive was spectacular (as usual), and I still cannot get over the green! The view of the gorgeous mountains covered in mist We took a boat to the small island that houses the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology.  On the boatride to the little island (Colten, Michelle, Kayshish, Maddie, Ed, Me, Captain Lauren) Then spent the day goin...

 Another breakfast outside to start my day, followed by a fun walk/dance to the 7-Eleven to meet my carpool buddies. A new friend, Colten, listened to my playlist with me as we walked together, and they even grooved with me along the way! #dancelikenobodyiswatching The  Hoʻoulu ʻĀina/Kōkua Kalihi Valley is a gorgeous, 100-acre nature preserve and a truly sacred space. Our guide, Mo, led us in an introduction where we shared our three names: The name we go by, the name of what we call 'home,' and the name(s) of who we are bringing with us into the sacred space. The land went first (the land is called the  ʻāina , and Mo shared an ancient name that was recently discovered) and presented to  us some wind and a brief but significant rainfall. I wore my 'Seneca Street' sunshirt, so I shared how Seneca Street and all the people there are my 'home'. I was so happy to have them with me. I also shared bringing my mom and dad, calling them by name to honor them and keep ...

 This morning was raining! I cannot get enough of this beautiful, soft rain. I decided to eat breakfast outside and enjoy the sounds.  You can hear the soft rain and see a dragonfly or two playing in the sprinkles. Today we visited Hawaiʻi's Plantation Village. I learned so much about the many groups of people who descended on these islands and all of the ways their culture, foods, and beliefs were adapted, adopted, and contributed to island life here. I learned that there was an influx of Puerto Ricans to Hawaiʻi in 1900. I wondered about this influence because I heard one of our teachers pronounce the "h" sound in the same way my Tía does, the way the jíbaros do. I was so surprised to hear that dialect here in Hawaiʻi! On the bottom-left you see Kimchi-Pastele, a dish popular to Honolulu and represents a blend of Korean and Puerto Rican foods  After a day of hearing stories and visiting replicas of homes, gardens, and bath houses of the various peoples who lived an...

 My first morning in Hawai‘i was spent outside, eating breakfast outside in the beautiful garden. Monday's field trip was to a Waikalua Loko Iʻa (fish pond) in Kāneʻohe. My classmate, Denise, who has returned to Hawai‘i after living in Guam for 50 years, agreed to drive, so I went for a little walk to familiarize myself with the neighborhood and meet her near the University.  Along the way, I saw some political signage... and something I've never seen before: a candidate stumping on a corner, in person. I feel like it was a level of connection and community that is unique to island life. Photo of a political candidate standing on a corner, waving to cars passing by My walk took me along a lava rock wall topped with something that looked like cacti. It reminded me of home and made my heart stick in my throat.  I had that feeling more than once today. The next time was driving alongside the steep mountains that feed the fish pond, with tributaries of water flowing dow...